Anthony Weiner made headlines July 29th when the Democratic Congressman from New York abandoned composure in a speech on the house floor. When Republicans blocked passage of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, he lost his cool. The 9/11 health care bill is a Democratic plan to provide billions of dollars for health care to 9/11 rescue workers and New York residents sickened from the toxic dust and debris at ground zero. Republicans were accused of cowardice and more by Weiner and his Democratic allies. More large government spending was the predictable Republican response.
What’s in the 9/11 health care bill
A majority of lawmakers within the chamber supported the 9/11 health care bill. But the New York Times reports how the 255-to-159 vote fell short of the two-thirds margin needed. A two-thirds margin was necessary under special rules that were used to bring the measure to the floor. The 9/11 health care bill would have provided $3.2 billion over the next eight years to keep track of and treat traumas stemming from exposure to toxic dust and debris at ground zero. The bill also would have set aside $4.2 billion to reopen the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund to provide payment for any job and economic losses.
Two-thirds majority ploy backfires on Democrats
Just after it was obvious that Republicans had enough votes to defeat the 9/11 health care bill, Anthony Weiner erupted in a speech on the house floor. The New York Daily news called the two-thirds majority rule a Democratic program to speed up the vote. Democrats, with their eyes on the November elections, feared Republicans would embarrass Democrats by affixing toxic amendments in a simple majority vote. No such tinkering is allowed under the two-thirds rule.
Procedure used by Republicans as reason to oppose the bill
Weiner cracked at the lecture when he got word that Republicans blamed procedure for their no vote. CBS News reports that Republican congressman Peter King of New York accused Democrats, too afraid to vote on controversial amendments, of staging a charade by holding the vote. Comments like those provoked Weiner into an eruption that lasted 90 seconds. He shouted at Republicans, calling them cowards for voting no because they did not like the procedure:
“It’s Republicans wrapping their arms around Republicans rather than doing the right thing on behalf of the heroes,” Weiner yelled. “It is a shame. A shame! If you believe this can be a bad idea to provide health care – then vote no! But do not give me the cowardly view that ‘Oh if it was a different procedure’…”.
Additional reading
nytimes.com /
nydailynews.com
cbsnews.com
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